Stand up to goverment's attack on religion

Maximus Ebert, Special to The Morning Call

The best definition of religious freedom I could find was on Wikipedia: "A principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and action."

Freedom of religion is a right constitutionally guaranteed to the people of the United States of America, as it is provided with the religious clauses of the First Amendment, which is listed at the top of our Bill of Rights. We are able to call freedom of religion our first freedom. Over time, our freedom of religion has been reinforced by many other laws. We, therefore, are able to freely live our lives without the fear of punishment for practicing our religious beliefs.

I and most other Catholics believe that the U.S. government has recently attempted to violate our religious freedom. The Department of Health and Human Services issued a mandate in January under President Obama's Affordable Care Act that requires all employer health plans to provide free contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. This is regardless of any moral or religious objections providers may have.

Catholic institutions such as schools, hospitals and charities do not qualify for the mandate's religious exemption. Therefore such institutions will be forced to provide services that directly contradict the teachings of their Catholic faith. Also, the federal government claims the right to decide what constitutes the ministry for these religious institutions. The federal government has no right to constitute the ministry of these Catholic institutions or suppress the American ideal of religious liberty.

President Obama tried to work out these religious objections in February by offering an "accommodation" whereby insurance providers would cover the cost of services to which religious employers have moral objections. This "accommodation" does nothing to solve the problem because all employers are still forced to provide health care plans in direct violation of their beliefs or pay ridiculous fines. The assault on our first freedom continues as the federal government somehow has the authority to define what constitutes an authentic religious ministry.

The Supreme Court's recent endorsement of the Affordable Care Act does not simply bring about an end to the fight for our religious freedom; it is just the beginning of the fight.

Catholics and believers in religious freedom everywhere must take a stand against the great assault facing our first freedom. A few ways in which supporters may join the fight is by asking legislators to support legislation overturning the federal mandate, voting for candidates who respect freedom of religion and speaking out against the great injustice facing the American people.

Do not remain silent. Speak out against this violation of our freedoms. We live in the greatest country in the world, and we have but one life to ensure the preservation of this country's guaranteed freedoms for future generations.

Maximus Ebert is a sophomore at Central Catholic High School in Allentown.